Catalog Options

National Security Studies, Minor

Requirements

Graduation Plan

Department

Faculty

Careers

Requirements

The Minor in National Security Studies provides an interdisciplinary program that
prepares students for public and private sector national security careers through
acquisition of subject matter expertise and analytical skills. The minor exposes students
to the wide variety of critically important security challenges and issues faced in
the twenty-first century, such as terrorism and cyber security, nuclear proliferation
and weapons of mass destruction, piracy and global pandemics, sovereignty and the
use of force, and civil liberties and the rule of law. Students will also acquire
skills such as critical thinking, writing, briefing, and analysis techniques specifically
tailored for the national security field, but applicable in many others. Whether students
are interested in counterterrorism, homeland security, intelligence gathering and
analysis, foreign relations, law and politics, diplomacy, or international development,
the Minor in National Security Studies provides the insight and skills needed to succeed
in these professions.

Graduation Plan

This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific
plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied.
You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation
plan in
Wolverine Track.

Milestone courses (pre-requisites for a course in one of the subsequent semesters)
are marked in red and italicized.

Semester 1

Course Title

Credit Hours

CJ 1010 orPOLS 1100

Introduction to Criminal Justice or American Nat’l Govt. (Matriculation requirement)

The Criminal Justice program is committed to fostering a challenging and intellectually stimulating environment that provides a broad range of interactive academic and field experiences. An understanding and appreciation of the theory, research, policy and practice of criminal justice, as a unique discipline, will be advanced. The department will promote the development of future professionals who are capable of assuming responsibility for the research, continuing scholarship and administration of the criminal justice system.

Forensic Science Mission

The Forensic Science program is committed to fostering a challenging and intellectually stimulating environment that provides a broad range of interactive academic and field experiences. An understanding and appreciation of theory, research, policy and practice of forensic science, as a unique discipline, will be advanced. The department will promote the development of future professionals who are capable of assuming responsibility for the research, continuing scholarship and administration of forensic science.

Center for National Security Studies Mission

The Center for National Security Studies (CNSS) is a nonpartisan academic institution for the instruction, analysis, and discussion of the issues related to the field of U.S. national security. The mission of the CNSS is twofold: to promote an interdisciplinary academic environment on campus that critically examines both the theoretical and practical aspects of the national security policy and practice; and to assist students in preparing for public and private sector national security careers through acquisition of subject matter expertise, analytical skills, and practical experience. The CNSS partners with local, regional, national, and international public and private sector organizations to promote this mission.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Criminal Justice Department is to become a program of choice for students in the field of Criminal Justice/Forensic Science/National Security Studies. To provide students with a critical understanding of the criminal justice system, field of forensic science, area of national security, and the society in which it functions. Additionally, we aspire to be recognized by local, state, and federal law enforcement, students, alumni, and the surrounding community for our progressive education, service, intellectual maturity, and ethical awareness.

The following values will dictate our actions in carrying out these missions:

Academically and professionally qualified faculty.

Superior teaching.

Scholarly activities that enhance and strengthen teaching and the student experience.

Continued re-evaluation, assessment, and corrections to curriculum.

Ethical awareness and conduct.

Cooperation, communication, and diversity across the curriculum.

Development of sensitivity toward, and appreciation for, cultural diversity. Development of analytical and critical thinking skills essential to the criminal justice field.

Advancement of analytical and critical thinking skills essential to the criminal justice field.

Preparation for the technologically sophisticated legal environment of the 21st-Century.

Advancement of the study of law/science within the context of an interdisciplinary liberal arts education.

The following strategies/goals are being pursued to move toward the above vision:

Develop a comprehensive forensic curriculum in cooperation with the science department.

Organize a Skills USA criminal justice program.

Increase the number of students in both the criminal justice, forensic science, and national security studies programs.

The departmental mission was developed to contribute to the College of Health & Public Service mission which, in turn, contributes to UVU’s mission. Critical to our program is a focus on developing a curriculum, along with other departments at UVU, which prepares our students to be competent for employment or advanced education and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and community service.